Kozhikode: A writer in Kerala facing threats from some fringe Islamic groups has expressed relief after several Muslim leaders of the southern Indian state rallied behind him.

K P Ramanunni had recently received an anonymous letter threatening him with dire consequences if he didn’t convert to Islam within six months.

“The public, social, cultural and political leaders, police and government have stood with me during this period. The support is a good sign and gives me courage,” Ramanunni, a Sahithya Academy Award winner, told twocircles.net. Greater relief came from the visits and calls of support from Muslim leaders, added the progressive writer, who was born a Hindu.

As the news about the threat spread, Muslim leaders such as Youth League leader Panakkad Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal visited him at his residence in Kozhikode along with party leaders P K Firoz to lend their full support. Various other Muslim organizations including Sunni Yuvajana Sangham condemned the threat.

On July 22, the Kerala writer lodged a police complaint saying he received an anonymous threat letter. The letter warned him that his right arm and left leg would be chopped off if he didn’t convert to Islam. The letter, referring to a recent article named ‘a believer to Hindus and Muslims,’ alleged that Ramanunni misguided Muslim youngsters through his writings about Islam.

A columnist in Madhyamam daily run by Jama’t-e Islami Hind, Ramanunni is a regular face in venues and programs hosted by Muslim organizations across the state. His debut novel Sufi Paranja Katha (Story told by Sufi) was based on a love story of a Muslim man and a Hindu woman.

“The letter has been sent by a criminal. It doesn’t matter which religion he belongs to. He is a criminal. Religion has nothing to do with his crime,” Ramanunni said.

“I am not apprehensive of the threat and don’t want to stop. My articles aimed at strengthening communal harmony have got accolades from all corners,” he said.

Police have found the letter was posted from a post office at Manjeri in Malappuram and started collecting CCTV footages from nearby localities. A special team has been constituted under the leadership of Nallalam sub inspector Kailas Nath.